Three Things...Gratitude Thread

[WDWEPCOT]

Dealing with having spinal surgery something I never wanted to do but I had to do it twice having to live with it not fun you think it would fix the problem but it doesn’t it just causes more problems when these are lifelong problems and it causes you to have to have more surgery and more problems so learning to live with all that it’s an ongoing process and it makes me really sad causes me difficulty causes me frustration and it causes me to become very creative to get things done I have been dealing with this injury since I was 22 years old I am now 60 I have amazed my doctors because they don’t understand why I’m still walking and I am praising God that I am still walking sadly I am in pain every day of my life but I am thankful that most days it’s pain I can deal with and I am very thankful that I am still walking

Dealing with family members with mental illness I think that isn’t one of the most difficult things you could ever do in your life and I have spent my whole life dealing with family members immediate family members with mental illness I myself think it is one of the most difficult things you can do you do not know from one minute to the next how a family member is going to be I have lived at one time with four family members with mental illness it is not fun you are just about guaranteed to be constantly arguing with somebody if not more than one person at a time it is extremely exhausting it is draining it is bad for your own mental health it is bad for your own physical health and one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do and learn to live with is to separate myself from my family members it is heartbreaking beyond words is it better for my own mental health yes tremendously is it better for my own physical health more than words can say does it break my heart on a daily basis

I would say getting a divorce but it truly emotionally not so much the person made it very difficult long and drawn out and frustrating the whole act of getting rid of the person though was very liberating and very much needed for my mental well-being and my physical well-being long overdue And so very grateful I could finally make it happen

I would say one of the most difficult things I have to do that I dread doing that breaks my heart so much is having to put one of my pets down I’ve had to do this so many times and just talking about it now makes me cry it makes you never wanna get another pet again but you know within two weeks I’m getting another pet knowing full well that down the road that said day will be here when I have to say goodbye which makes me want to enjoy every precious day I have my pet

 

[clappyclaps]

Evening all,

1. This pretty much sums it up for me, after having my last elderly cat Poppy put to sleep earlier this year:

I would say one of the most difficult things I have to do that I dread doing that breaks my heart so much is having to put one of my pets down I’ve had to do this so many times and just talking about it now makes me cry it makes you never wanna get another pet again but you know within two weeks I’m getting another pet knowing full well that down the road that said day will be here when I have to say goodbye which makes me want to enjoy every precious day I have my pet

2. Getting the accreditation for my job - the job I'm doing doesn't have any formal mandatory qualifications but a few years ago an expert accreditation course came out that I was funded to do to give a bit more gravitas and a formality to the experience I already had. The course itself was long and fairly taxing on top of my normal work, and the assessment for it was my worst nightmare - a full day of interviews and role play scenarios. I actually rescheduled the assessment day multiple times as I couldn't face doing it, but in the end I finally did it and to my surprise actually passed and gained my accreditation.

3. Solo travel - a lot of people wouldn't think twice about this, but for me travelling abroad solo was a big deal. I was very shy when I was younger and it's only over recent years that I've gained a lot more confidence in who I am and what I'm capable of. Booking my first solo trip (to LA and DCA/DLR) was done on a bit of an impulse that I then spent months worrying and fretting about, but when it actually came to it, I really enjoyed it and it's since given me such a better attitude towards what I can do on my own.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I second learning to drive - I was not ready at 16 and ended up getting my license in my early 20s. But I'm so glad I finally did!

Becoming a mom - hard, but so wonderful!!

Making phone calls - it's a little thing, but one of my personal avoidance tasks, and I'm always very proud of myself when I finally get them done

 

[WLWildlife]

1. Having a baby after previous delivery trama.
2. Staying in a job because it's best for the family but not necessarily for you.
3. Standing up to bullies.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Advocating for myself and I pray for others at this facility.

By God's grace alone and His mercy upon me, I get stronger daily through therapy.

Have a good weekend friends

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Have a good rest of the night. Sweet dreams to all.

 

[PollyannaMom]

This is listed as a UK "holiday" but I like it, so I'm happy to celebrate and be grateful for it here as well:


Today's Topic (Sat, 12/20) - 3 outdoor things you're grateful for in the winter

 

[leebee]

Outdoors? In the winter??

Holiday light walks. Our small town decorates the River Walk every year from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It started out as just a small thing, but now local businesses donate and it's really pretty (although I've never walked it- but I can see the lights). I love color lights at night (I keep our outdoor christmas lights up all year) so this is right up my alley- and one of these winters, I'll get there!

There is also a local elementary school that does something similar in the schoolyard every year; we take the LittleGuy there to wrap up our traditional "get and ice cream and drive around looking at the holiday lights" night.

Ice falls. I don't know what else to call them, but it's when there are huge waterfalls of ice on the rock cliffs along the highways. This picture is from Taughannock Falls State Park in Ithaca, NY; it's very similar to what I mean about the ice along the highways.


Going for walks on cold, clear, starry nights. We see some amazing night skies up here, and I think that the winter night sky is clearer and brighter than the summer sky. And then there are those rare opportunities to see the Northern Lights.

 

[slo]

Happy Saturday Friends

This is tough for me since I’m not a fan of winter

#1 - FRESHLY FALLING SNOW - It is beautiful to see as it’s falling and untouched. But the minute I have to go out in it, I’m no longer grateful - LOL!

#2 - A SECOND REFRIGERATOR - I’m grateful that I have a second refrigerator this time of year. I use the outside as a second fridge mainly on holidays when I don’t have enough room in the kitchen fridge. I put covered items outside, right outside my kitchen door, and it helps with not overstuffing the refrigerator.

#3 - CARDINALS IN THE SNOW - I love cardinals and I especially love seeing them when it’s snowed. We have several cardinals by us and a couple like the bush outside of my kitchen window. Seeing them in this bush after it snowed is beautiful- I always stop what I’m doing to watch them.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Grateful for outdoor things in the winter are you kidding?? I’m grateful when it’s over
I got nothing here
I am seriously not grateful for anything in the winter I am Bah humbug

I do not like the cold it makes my bones hurt

I do not like snow I do not like ice it gives me the threat of falling down and getting another injury

I do not like driving on snow or ice because again the risk of getting into a car accident is so high it’s ridiculous way too dangerous people around here do not know how to drive when the weather is great let alone when the streets are covered with snow and ice

I do not like having to go outside and shovel my driveway

I’m very grateful when it’s all over cause I don’t like taking my dog outside every day when it’s freezing cold outside or when there’s snow and ice outside

My dog loves the snow trying to get him to come inside when he wants to be outside and play in the snow not fun

I don’t like having to bundle up 30 times a day to take the dog outside

The only thing I will say I am grateful that I have an extremely long about 40 foot line so I can stand on my deck and have my dog go down all those steps that are covered in snow and ice to go use the yard to do his business and I don’t have to try to go down those snowy icy steps and risk falling

So I will say I am very grateful when it’s all over it starts warming up again to all the people that enjoy this have fun with it be careful enjoy your snow enjoy looking at it enjoy dealing with it you can have my portion I will gratefully give it to you

 

[WLWildlife]

Another winter hater here. I'll try to be positive.
1. Winter birds are pretty to see and hear.
2. it makes my appreciation for summer even stronger. I LOVE SUMMER!
3. It makes soup taste better.

I can't wait for this miserable season to be OVER.

 

[clappyclaps]

So I live in the UK and I've never heard of that holiday!

Afraid I'm also a winter hater, so I can't find much to be grateful for and struggling for 3, however I am grateful for cosy knits and sweaters - while I prefer warmer weather, I do like wearing comfy knits and sweaters. This is genuinely all I can think of. I hate the cold, the dark, the weather. Winter is my least favourite month!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Not a cold weather fan either. I extra appreciate hot chocolate on cooler days and cozy blankets. Warm, clean clothes are always a blessing.

Warm hug from family or a close friend.

Feel good movie or story in a book helps warm my heart.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Depending on one's location, winter can offer:

No mosquitoes.
Aurora Borealis.
Mild temperatures in deserts.

 

[bluecastle]

I didn’t have the energy to reflect on difficulties last night, so here goes:
I think the most difficult thing I have ever gone through is getting diagnosed with cancer when my daughter was pregnant. I didn’t tell her at first and that was torturous for me because we were doing all that pre-baby stuff together and I kept wondering if I was going to be around to see my one and only grandchild come into this world and grow up.
My divorce when I was 25 after 5 years of marriage. It ended up being the best thing, but at the time I was devastated.
I believe what they say about being witnesses to our loved ones’ pain is worse than going through it ourselves, especially when we feel helpless to “fix” things. For me, the most challenging time was when my daughter went through severe post-partum anxiety, and then the COVID shutdown only a few months later. I will always worry about her, but I am so grateful those dark days are behind us. She is working hard and I am very proud of her.

I love the winter! (As long as the heat works!)
I love that I don’t have to watch out for bees and other flying insects getting into the house every time I open the door.
I am so fortunate that my DH does all the shoveling!
I love winter sports and the Olympics. Watching hockey right now

 

[PollyannaMom]

I am Elsa in this picture

There are things I love about summer but just as many that I love about winter! For my 3 today -

I love the winter sunshine! It's just "cleaner"(?) somehow than in the summer - I don't quite know how to explain it.

I loved sledding as kid, and taking DS when he was a kid. I was a substitute teacher for a good chunk of his elementary years, so I'd be off too whenever he had snow days. Once the roads were safe, we'd pack the car with neighbor kids and head to the hill by the library.

And I definitely agree with no bugs!!

 

[fla4fun]

Outdoor in the winter . . .

Cooler weather. I hate summer as much as many of you hate winter. In the winter I can go out and do yard work in the daylight, instead of getting up a couple of hours before dawn to beat the heat. I can also go for walks or go to the theme parks. I rarely leave the house from June through September, but find lots of excuses to be out in January and February.

Blue skies. We get those intense winter blue skies that are so beautiful.

Citrus blossoms. Near the end of winter the citrus trees start to bloom and they smell so good. The scent is strong enough that you can smell it just driving down the road near a grove.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We don’t get a ton of real winter here. I actually feel kind of silly because I just bought a new winter coat for the high school softball season. Even this week, Monday’s walk was upper 20s and I was in four layers while today was pushing 80 and I was regretting not wearing shorts.

Winter here is kind of like fall. Today, while I was walking, I was being showered in yellow falling leaves.

Being in a warmer climate means an influx of migratory birds in the winter. Every now and then, I hear or see something unfamiliar and sure enough, Merlin will identify it as something seasonal to our area.

Cold here is rarely life threatening. That’s not to say I want to be caught unprepared or can’t be uncomfortable, but even days where I have to bundle up are nothing like my winters in NJ, OH and Syracuse. I’m chilled for a bit but never so cold that I’m counting the steps until I make it to warmth.

 

[citruscurtis]

Outdoor in the winter . . .

Cooler weather. I hate summer as much as many of you hate winter. In the winter I can go out and do yard work in the daylight, instead of getting up a couple of hours before dawn to beat the heat. I can also go for walks or go to the theme parks. I rarely leave the house from June through September, but find lots of excuses to be out in January and February.

Blue skies. We get those intense winter blue skies that are so beautiful.

Citrus blossoms. Near the end of winter the citrus trees start to bloom and they smell so good. The scent is strong enough that you can smell it just driving down the road near a grove.

WOW I have no recollection of typing this post...must be having a heat stroke

 

[citruscurtis]

I miss Oregon winters

Looking out the front room window and seeing the curbside full of flowing rain water and puddles ..the only thing moving now is the large population of doves in our botanical yard

Alpine Glow on the snow covered volcano that can be seen in Salem when I traveled to a specific spot...now I can see Alpine Glow from my patio chair

Though I don't recall apples decorating the yard from tree branches